First Soul Duel

The waiting area was relatively quiet. Through a thick soundproof glass, one could clearly see the matches on the central Soul Fighting Arena and hear the cheers from the audience.

Inside sat many soul masters waiting for their turn, most of them between twenty and thirty years old.

They gathered in small groups, discussing tactics. When they saw Ling Xiao, who was wearing a mask and still young, walk in, they cast curious glances, but no one approached him.

Ling Xiao found a corner seat.

He placed his spear beside him, his gaze calmly fixed on the Soul Fighting Arena.

He watched the duel between two Soul Grand Masters on the stage, silently analyzing their soul skill combinations, attack rhythms, and defensive loopholes.

The strength of these soul masters wasn't top-tier; most had soul power between level twenty and thirty, and their soul skill combinations weren't high-level.

However, their practical combat experience was extremely rich, their attacks were ruthless, and every move aimed for the vital points.

This was completely different from the by-the-book drills in Martial Soul Hall.

This was precisely why he had come here.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Matches on the Soul Fighting Arena ended one after another.

The broadcast continuously announced the matchups for the next round.

About half an hour later, the broadcast in the waiting area suddenly came on.

A clear female voice echoed throughout the hall:

"Iron Soul Fighter one-on-one contestants, Zero and Green Wolf, please proceed to Soul Fighting Arena number three to prepare. The match will begin in three minutes. I repeat, contestants Zero and Green Wolf, please proceed to Soul Fighting Arena number three to prepare."

At the same time, the large screen in the waiting area clearly displayed the matchup information:

[Iron Soul Fighter One-on-One]

[Zero: Control Type Soul Grand Master, Level 24]

[Green Wolf: Agile Attack Type Soul Grand Master, Level 24]

A murmur of whispers arose in the waiting area.

All eyes, without exception, focused on Ling Xiao in the corner.

"Zero? Is that the ten-year-old Level 24 Soul Grand Master? Is it true?"

"Ten years old? Level 24? What a joke! They probably modified the information backstage, right?"

"His opponent is Green Wolf? That guy is a ruthless character in the Iron Soul Fighter district! Although he's only Level 24, he's already won three consecutive matches. His attacks are fierce, and many Level 25s have fallen to him!"

"This is going to be good. I wonder where this young prodigy came from. He's probably going to fall to Green Wolf."

Amidst the discussion, a tall, muscular young man stood up.

He was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a ferocious scar on his face and a fierce gaze, exuding a wild and untamed aura. He was Green Wolf.

He sized up Ling Xiao from head to toe, a cold, disdainful smile curling his lips.

He spat, then turned and walked towards Soul Fighting Arena number three.

Ling Xiao stood up expressionlessly.

He picked up the spear beside him and also walked slowly towards the Soul Fighting Arena.

Passing through the long corridor, the deafening cheers hit them like a wave.

Soul Fighting Arena number three was a circular stone platform twenty meters in diameter, surrounded by hundreds of spectator seats, all of which were currently occupied.

Seeing Ling Xiao and Green Wolf walk onto the stage from opposite entrances, the audience erupted in laughter and boos.

"No way? This kid looks younger than my child, and he dares to come to the Soul Fighting Arena?"

"Green Wolf! Take him down! Let this brat know the Soul Fighting Arena isn't a place for him!"

"I'm betting on Green Wolf! This kid looks so delicate; Green Wolf can take him down in one move!"

The vast majority of the audience did not have high hopes for the masked youth.

After all, the Soul Fighting Arena was not a game of make-believe.

Here, it was about strength and ruthlessness, not talent and background.

A ten-year-old child, no matter how talented, how much practical combat experience could he have? How could he possibly be a match for the battle-hardened Green Wolf?

Only a few female spectators, looking at the aloof and mysterious youth on stage, had eyes full of curiosity and whispered amongst themselves.

"This little brother is wearing a mask, he looks so mysterious. I hope he doesn't lose!"

"Level 24 at only ten years old, he's definitely a genius from a top sect. Maybe he can win?"

In the center of the Soul Fighting Arena, the referee looked at the two men, raised his flag, and announced loudly.

"Iron Soul Fighter one-on-one match, Zero versus Green Wolf! Match rules: no hidden weapons, no intentional killing. The match ends when one party surrenders, loses the ability to fight, or falls out of the Soul Fighting Arena! Both sides, prepare!"

Green Wolf stood on the other side of the Soul Fighting Arena, looking at Ling Xiao opposite him. The scar on his face appeared even more ferocious.

He stretched his wrist, his knuckles cracking with crisp sounds.

His Level 24 soul power was released, carrying a fierce, wolf-like aura.

What he hated most were these young noble masters born with silver spoons and exceptional talent.

Relying on their family's wealth and power, they enjoyed the best resources from a young age, easily reaching realms that others could only dream of even after risking their lives.

"Kid, I don't care which noble house you come from; once you step onto this Soul Fighting Arena, you have to follow the rules."

Green Wolf's voice was hoarse and vicious, carrying undisguised malice.

"Kneel down and admit defeat now, then crawl off the stage, and I might show some mercy. Otherwise, once we start fighting, I won't care whose child you are. If I break your arms and legs, don't go crying home to your mommy and daddy."

His words echoed throughout the spectator stands via the amplification Soul Tool, instantly drawing a wave of jeers and cheers.

"Green Wolf is right! Get lost, you little brat!"

"Stop making a fool of yourself!"

Yet, faced with his provocation and the boos of the entire crowd, Ling Xiao remained standing in place, motionless.

He slowly raised his hand and tore away the coarse cloth wrapping his long spear.

The silvery-white spear body glinted with a biting cold light under the lamps, its tip pointing straight at the ground.

The youth holding the spear had eyes as calm as still water.

It was as if the jeers and provocations of the entire arena had nothing to do with him.

The referee saw that both were ready, raised the flag in his hand high, and swung it down sharply.

"The match... begins!"

The moment the flag fell, the first soul ring beneath Green Wolf's feet lit up.

He lunged toward Ling Xiao like a starving wolf pouncing on its prey!

"Green Wolf, possess!"

Green Wolf's figure began to distort; gray wolf fur sprouted wildly from beneath his skin, covering his entire body in an instant.

His mouth protruded forward, revealing sharp, white fangs; his hands transformed into wolf claws flashing with cold light, and a thick wolf tail whipped behind him.

Two yellow soul rings pulsed beneath his feet as the aura of a level 24 agility-attack Soul Grand Master was released, carrying a fierce, bloodthirsty lupine nature.

He pushed the speed of an agility-attack soul master to its absolute limit.

Green Wolf's figure turned into a blur as he charged toward Ling Xiao.

The twenty-meter distance was covered in a flash.

"Kid, get down on the ground!"

Green Wolf's ferocious roar was deafening.

His first soul ring lit up, and sharp wind blades coalesced in front of him.

Seven or eight cyan wind blades tore through the air, sealing off every possible path of evasion for Ling Xiao!

He intended to trample this arrogant young noble master beneath his feet in front of the entire audience.